Luke Littler opens up on axing TV appearances with £275k on the line

has insisted he decided to cut down on his television appearances to concentrate his efforts on darts. The 18-year-old will land himself £275,000 in prize money if he clinches his second successive trophy this evening.

Littler was invited to feature in last season's Premier League event following his run at the World Championship, where he reached the final as a 16-year-old. before becoming world champion at the start of this year. He has been in sublime form once again this season and finished 11 points clear of Humphries at the top of the Premier League standings to book his place at the Play-Off event. He will face Gerwyn Price in the semi-finals for the chance to take on either Humphries or in the final at the O2 Arena.

Littler appeared on the Jonathan Ross show and BBC's Comic Relief last March after his profile went through the roof in a matter of weeks at the end of 2023.

But he has kept himself away from the small screen this year and revealed to : "I did a lot of stuff for social media. A lot of shows, like The Jonathan Ross Show, which was really good.

"I found out while I was doing the first Premier League that the travel was Thursday night, and then on Friday night we'd have to rush down to a European Tour.

"But this year it has been a lot more relaxing, which we wanted, in terms of the shows and stuff. That was good for my socials last year. This year it's all about kicking on.

"I've secured top spot in the league and playing that first semi-final is so crucial. This is one of the biggest ones out there."

Littler won six Premier League Nights and 27 matches to cement his place at the Play-Offs. He is the favourite to lift the trophy, with Humphries viewed as his main rival for the top prize.

And ahead of the event, the teenage sensation said: "For the last 18 months there's been a target on my back. Since I first came on tour and made the World Championship final, I just knew.

"From the moment I walked into my first Pro Tour, I knew everyone wanted to beat me. That is still the same now.

"There will always be a target on my back and I know if I'm not on my A-game, they will catch me out."